2015 Michigan BCBS & Black Friday Thread

I'm coming up that weekend to watch the Bucks crush Harbaughs dreams... Any chance I can score some BCBS either Friday or Saturday? Friday night my wife and I are going to founders and staying in Grand Rapids. Then Ann Arbor Saturday. If not BCBS - what else should I seek out?

 

Should be a fun time for you when your dreams are crumbled of Ohio winning and actually scoring BCBS in major Michigan cities. Good luck!

 

Much like Woody would rather have pushed his team bus over the state border than fill up with Michigan gas, you should not buy beer in "the state up north". It only seems right.

 

If anyone sees some around Flint, let me know! ill do the same!

 

maybe you should have thought about Sparty before you worried about Harbaugh. good luck on your BCBS hunt though.

 

Yeah, you definitely spoke a little too soon @Wolfpac78 . And what's up with the big names declaring for the draft after the loss to Sparty??? From a former MSU student (and lifelong fan since about 4 years old), I expected a little better form (err... class) from the Buckeyes. I even cheer for OSU when they're NOT playing a Big Ten school lol .

Back to the question you asked though. Friday morning is the Hipster Brunch Stout release @ Odd Side Ales in Grand Haven (about 30-40 minutes west of Grand Rapids). They may still have some of this left Friday night; it's definitely worth calling as they are an awesome brewery. I actually prefer the atmosphere at Odd Side Ales over any other brewery I've been to (Founders, Bells, etc...); it's just a very laid back place.

I also learned about an hour ago that the store 1.5 miles away will be getting BCBS (and it's a hole in the wall place in farm country....), so many may be pleasantly surprised to see this somewhere they wouldn't think of.

Being that you're from O HI O, you don't see anything from Short's. They make some very interesting beer, and it's definitely worth checking out. I'm not sure if Dark Horse or Odd Side Ales are distributed in Ohio, but they also make some pretty unique stuff. One of my recent favorites is BBA Mayan Mocha Stout from Odd Side Ales, and you may still be able to find it at some stores (unlikely, but possible).

If you need some stores to check out in the area (West Michigan), shoot me a BM and I'll give you some recommendations.

 

Has anyone heard of any release info for the Ann Arbor area? I see Blue Front is doing their raffle, tippins is doing an after black friday release/package thing. Other than that I haven't heard, or seen anything from the other shops in the area....Worried that this year will be like last, which was damn near non existent for the washtenaw county distro

 

If anyone is giving up their Black Friday release information they are f'ing insane. Do your own research and good luck. Don't think it will be too hard to find if you are out there looking.

 

Pretty much this. It's already gonna be a shitshow why add to it? Especially when the info is pretty easy to find if you just talk to people. You don't have to be any kind of insider. Trust me--I've only been in AA for 5 months.

I will say this @drazcon: Blue Front isn't the only AA area shop doing something for BCBS although I've heard from two industry sources that there will be a single case of Rare for all of Washtenaw County (of course I imagine that amount is more than many people suspected).

If I was actually going to be in town, I'm not sure BF is where I would be on Black Friday...

 

I put my name in at a couple places in hopes to pick up bottles on my way home from Oddside on Friday. Was called last night that the beer was already in. I'm sure there are other stores with it on sale ATM. Still will have my eyes open for Coffee and Prop as they didn't have those two variants. May try to stop into a Costco if that's not too crazy. Anyone know of any good places to stop for bottles, beer or a bite to eat in the Lansing area?

 

*FTFY

 

Like I said above, I think many will be surprised with the amount of BCBS hitting Michigan this year. I really don't think this one will be too tough to get if you're willing/able to communicate with your local stores. I live in the middle of corn fields and cows, and the store 1.5 miles away is getting at least a case of it. Not sure about any variants, but again, this seems to be hitting more places than what one would expect (thereby eliminating some of the shitshow for those who know WHERE to go).

In West Michigan, I KNOW places like Rishi's and Siciliano's will be getting it, but EVERYBODY knows they're getting it so why bother? I'm willing to help out an out of towner Buckeye (because I'm sympathetic to them losing vs. MSU... HAHAHA not really sympathetic), but if you live here you owe it to yourself to make a few phone calls and establish a few relationships with those who own/manage your local stores. Just remember, the worst you're going to hear if you ask them for something is no.

 

I will be coming up from Toledo to Oddside on Friday and would love to know if you have any suggestions. Just remember Toledo is still disputed territory... Go Blue!

 

All true, but remember that a case is 8 fewer bottles this year than it was last year...

At any rate, I was referring more to the shitshow that accompanies trying to score some coffee, rare and rye.

 

Good points for sure. I keep neglecting the change in bottle size. While the variants would be nice, I've never even had BCBS so anything I will get (which will be something) is good with me.

Until the past year or 2, I was very content with Founder's and Bell's, and had little desire to try anything else (I'm a simple guy lol). However, the more that I broaden my horizons, the more I come to appreciate the subtle differences in how similar styles are brewed. I also like to see what all the hype is about with beers like this (much like non Michigan folks want to give KBS a try)

 

I had heard cases of 12 bottles, is it actually 16?

 

Chances of picking up any Friday evening still? Have a buddy going to Ann Arbor from Cleveland for the OSU/UM game and was hoping he could snag me a bottle or two.

 

Oh, no idea actually.

 

Its 12.